William Applegate Gullick, 1858-1922

Designer of the NSW Coat of Arms, 1906

William Applegate Gullick, NSW Government Printer and Inspector of Stamps between 1896 and 1922, designed the NSW Coat of Arms in 1906. He had a long and distinguished career in the printing industry and public service, initially with John Sands & Co., before joining the Government Printing Office in 1896. He had a passionate interest in heraldry and history, graphic design, and experimenting with photography, especially colour photography. These interests influenced his designs for NSW postage stamps and his blazon for the NSW Coat of Arms. When the Premier of the day needed an expert to advise him and design a coat of arms for the State, he naturally turned to William Applegate Gullick.